Category Archives: Emo Hairstyle

An emo image was traditionally associated with angsty teenagers. Loneliness, melancholy and emotional mood swings were often associated with it too. You can say an emo image was associated with pessimistic feelings. However, this is no longer true in the modern world. Emo teenagers are no longer depressive and emo hairstyles now extend even to the working class.

Emo hairstyles now express one’s individuality to the core and convey a certain vulnerability or sensitivity that shows courage and strength. Emo hairstyles are no longer confined in a box as they are versatile and can mean many different styles.

Some key characteristics remain the same though. They are the following:

1. Bangs

It’s all about the bangs. And by bangs, we mean not the wispy kind but full bangs swept to the side or just right on the forehead. Emo bangs are created by cutting several layers of hair and sweeping it to the side. Usually longer than traditional bangs so the eyes and a cheekbone are partially covered. Messy, straight – you can make it your own!

2. Layers

Emo hairstyles are all about creating layers. The mullet is a perfect example of an emo hairstyle. Choppy cuts – hair at the crown is cut shorter than the rest – are characteristic of this style. Bob hair cuts get an emo twist by making the front hair longer with the hair at the back gradually becomes shorter.

3. Color

4. Styling

Styling further defines an emo hairstyle. Backcombing – or combing hair towards the face (and not away) is a trademark style. Teasing the upper portion of the hair is normal, generally held together by wax.

Little things you can do with your hair to get an emo look:

Add a chunky hair color highlight.

Snip off hair edges by thinning them out at the tips – a razor cut does this trick.

Play around with bangs! Usually, just styling with bangs create an emo look already. Trim a thick section of your hair at the crown, so that your bangs can cover half the forehead and usually one eye.

Straighten your hair, especially at the edges. Emo looks are usually tousled at the top ending with straight edges to the side of the face (you could always try vitamin c serum to reduce wrinkles!).

Emo hairstyles are usually constrained to rock groups and emo teeners but the truth is, you easily find these styles in the runway, sported by celebrities and even donned by career women (and even men!) and executives. Cosmopolitan reports women are even setting their hair on fire by dyeing their strands fiery red these days.

Here are four great examples of emo hairstyles that have gone mainstream:

From left to right:

1. Auburn Emo Hairstyle

Black base hair colors are the norm for emo looks, but you can always try this auburn hue. It is still dark enough and with the right makeup, you can pull off a rock vampire chic look like the one pictured above. It is also formal enough to pull off wearing in an office environment. Bonus? Bangs in a wispy curvy style are good for softening a square face (strong jaw) or reducing a high (large) forehead in heart-shaped faces.

2. Platinum Blonde Stacked Bob

Bob haircuts can instantly turn emo with how you style it. By backcombing layers towards your face, you instantly get an emo effect. Platinum blonde is always glamorous. Coupled with an asymmetrical cut, this is flattering for round-shaped faces. Easily add height and face length by teasing top layers.

3. Sleek Fringes

Emo haircuts need not be short all the time. Medium lengths can be emo too! You can do thinned out edges on your hair strands and have full bangs. Full bangs or fringe that extend just above the eyebrows that shade the eyes is a popular emo hairstyle.

Make them shine by using a hair serum to make for a glamorous look. You can also use red and purple accents to further highlight your fringe.

4. Textured Bob

Not ready to go all out emo yet? Try this textured and angled bob with long heavy bangs. Your layers can be cut to the side and when you style your hair, tousle them slightly with wax to make it edgy.

Hair color is an essential aspect of achieving a true emo hairstyle. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

The Basic Emo Hair Color

Here are some components of a basic emo hair color. Don’t let this fool you as emo hairstyles are very personalized. They do share similar characteristics, though, like the following:

Base Shades

The base hair colors are usually natural and darker hues. Black and browns are usually the frontrunners. Blondes usually bleach their hair white to be more unique. Red heads usually darken their shades to starker or richer hues.

Color Accents

A trademark emo hairstyle usually has bold colored accents. Bright hues such as teal, fuschia, green or any color that stands out well against the dark hair base are preferred. These accents make one’s emo hairstyle personalized.

Here are some popular uses of these accents:

Using color accents on the bangs. These emphasize the fact that they are covering their faces, making it dark and broody. Most usually have dark eye makeup to achieve the full effect.

Using color accents on the tips of the hair – tips of bangs, or tips of the whole hair to the sides.

Using color accents in chunks. These are usually done in complimentary colors.

Using color accents in thinner sections, usually around the face.

The key to wearing color accents is the color should show the person’s personality. Emo hairstyle is a personal expression.

TIP: Color accents should not be too vibrant as they may be interpreted as funky/punk hair styles.

Tips to Having Emo Hair Color

Going DIY? Watch this video for tips:

Before dying your hair, you can use a temporary hair color (or even hair chalk) to experiment which color you like best.

Once you color your hair, remember that you need to take care of it more by using a good condtioner and as much as possible, natural and gentle hair care products to keep your strands healthy.

While emo hairstyles back in the day were trademark hairstyles of rockers, musicians and anime (Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean pop, manga/comics) lovers, these are now considered mainstream hairstyles, with most celebrities rocking the ‘do in one form of another.

What makes a hairstyle ‘emo’?

How to Get Emo Hair

Get a haircut. Emo haircuts usually have chunky layers that are bluntly cut with side-swept full bangs that extend to the eyebrows.

Ask for a razor trim. Emo haircuts usually feature super-sharp, straight edges. You can ask the hairstylist to use a razor comb on the ends of your hair to achieve this cut.

Thin hair on the bottom. Most emo haircuts feature styles that are teased and thick on top but thin and straight at the bottom. To achieve this, ask your hairstylist to think out the bottom part of your hair, about three to four inches.

Do it gradually. you can always make it shorter, but growing hair, especially when it is cut in layers takes a while. Stay a bit longer if you are trying the emo cut for the first time. You can have it shorter next time.

To style your emo hair, tease your top layers and apply hairspray. Use a fine-toothed comb to backcomb your hair (moving comb towards your scalp, not away from it). You can use a hair straightener to achieve perfectly straight hair at the edges.

How to take care of your Emo Hairstyle

Dying, teasing and straightening your hair to achieve an emo hairstyle can be damaging to your strands. Here are a few ways to take care of your hair:

Watch out for split ends. To prevent split ends, have your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.

Use a heat protectant before you use a hair straightener when styling.

If you wish to style your hair everyday, train your hair so that it can be washed once or twice a week. Or you can use natural organic shampoo products that are guaranteed to be gentle with your strands.

Use the right hair care products. Use products that don’t contain sodium sulfates.

Take a hair styling break at least once a week to let your hair rest from products. You can wear a hat over it instead or tie your hair back.